The latest on California politics and government

August 16, 2011

The executive director of the Fair Political Practices Commission has announced plans to leave the state's campaign watchdog agency in the coming months, saying he feels ready to "pursue other career opportunities" now that FPPC Chairwoman Ann Ravel has settled into her new role.

Roman Porter has served as the executive director of the FPPC for three years, working under two commission chairs appointed by former GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (Ross Johnson and Dan Schnur ) before Ravel was appointed to the post by Gov. Jerry Brown earlier this year. Porter started his career at the agency as an intern in the early 2000s and was hired as a full-time staff member in 2007. Roughly a year and a half later, he was promoted to executive director.

"My time at the FPPC and the opportunities provided to me has exceeded my wildest expectations, as only a few years ago I sat as the Communications Director, working to ensure the public better understood our value to the state," Porter wrote in an email today. "I will always look back on this time with great fondness."

The policy advocate for the California arm of one good government watchdog group released a statement praising Porter as "a consistent champion of government reform and accountability."

"Under his leadership, the FPPC has increased their responsiveness and openness with watchdog and good government groups," California Common Cause policy advocate Phillip Ung said. "It was his leadership that made the Commission more accessible for regular Californians. We urge the Commission to find an equally qualified executive director who can continue Mr. Porter's success."

Porter, whose current role includes serving as the commission's spokesman, said he plans to leave the agency within the next two months. A successor for the executive director, whom the commission appoints, has not been announced.